Battle cry for Sens rookies

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Bruce Garrioch, QMI Agency

Sep 12, 2011

, Last Updated: 10:45 PM ET

OSHAWA — It will be the Battle of Ontario on a smaller stage.

With the Senators and Maple Leafs holding 2-0 records at the four-team rookie tournament that wraps up Tuesday, the winner of the final game at GM Centre will hold bragging rights as champion until next year.

“I don’t know what to anticipate,” said Senators goalie coach Rick Walmsley. “But in the history of those franchises, there aren’t a lot of hugs and kisses between those two teams.”

While not every young player in the game knows the history and hatred between the teams, Senators blueliner Mark Borowiecki is from Ottawa and he’s going to tune up a few of his teammates.

“I grew up being a big Sens fan and obviously that comes with not really liking the Leafs too much,” said Borowiecki, a fifth-round pick in 2008. “I don’t want to say ‘hate,’ but it’s just kind of the way I was brought up.

“It’s going to mean a lot to me to put on an Ottawa jersey and get a chance to play against them.”

According to scouts watching the tourney, the Senators have the most skilled and best team of prospects. But you can’t win based on talent alone and the Leafs will dig deep with the game being played in their backyard.

“Our young prospects embrace and respect the healthy rivalry that we have with Ottawa,” said Marlies coach Dallas Eakins, who is leading the Toronto kiddie corps.

“It’s one thing to beat a Chicago or a Pittsburgh, but it’s a totally different challenge to step up and beat a rival such as Ottawa. It will be interesting to see how our kids respond.”

Senators coach Kurt Kleinendorst will speak to the players about the rivalry with the Leafs.

He wasn’t using any fighting words Monday “because it’s way too early for bulletin board material,” but prospects will know what’s up for grabs.

“It’s all part of the early season process. We will introduce the rivalry to our guys. I’m sure that Toronto will introduce the rivalry to their players,” said Kleinendorst. “The guys come from all over the place. They don’t necessarily understand the rivalry. But at the same time, our approach, just worry about ourselves. Play the game the way we like to play. If we play the right way, we get the right results.

“You wanna identify the fact we really do believe winning is a habit. It’s a heck of a lot of fun and why we do this. You have to respect the fact Toronto might take that game to that level. We have to be ready.”

Borowiecki said there will be more intensity than in previous rookie camp games.

“For sure, both teams want to go 3-0,” he said. “The coaches have been telling us the whole tournament that individual success comes with team success. If we can put ourselves in a pretty good spot here, it looks that much better as an individual player if our team can go 3-0 here.

“I was raised with (this rivalry). It’s pretty awesome to go out there with a Sens jersey and hopefully knock a few Leafs players around. I think most guys understand it.”